Unreached people group
Ife
ReachedThe Ife belong to the broader Yoruba cluster of peoples and live primarily in the central region of Togo and neighboring areas of Benin. With a distinctive cultural identity, they preserve their own language, Ife, spoken in rural communities and vibrant villages throughout the region.
Recognized for their rich oral tradition, communal music, and deep devotion to kinship ties, the Ife keep alive the memory of their historical origins while actively participating in the civic and economic life of the West African nations where they reside.
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Togo Significantly reached
|
64,3%
|
182.000 |
Benin Significantly reached
|
19,8%
|
56.000 |
Ghana Significantly reached
|
15,9%
|
45.000 |
Family farming forms the foundation of livelihood for most of the Ife. Daily work in the fields centers on growing yams, cassava, corn, and beans, alongside cash crops such as cotton and coffee. Local markets stimulate the economy and serve as important social gathering places.
Social life is structured around extended families and clans, where elders play a central role in mediating conflicts and preserving community wisdom.
Traditional religion still maintains a strong cultural presence among the Ife, characterized by devotion to local deities and appeasement rituals for ancestral spirits. These practices are intended to secure protection, health, and bountiful harvests.
A significant portion of the population professes the Christian faith, leading to an ongoing encounter between the biblical message and the ancestral customs that continue to shape community life.
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Current stage
- 4 Whole Bible Still ahead
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Many Ife villages face hardships due to a lack of adequate healthcare services, well-equipped schools, and well-maintained roads for transporting harvests. Spiritually, there is a great need for discipleship materials and theological training for local pastors, so that congregations may grow grounded in biblical truth and free from the fear of ancestral spirits.
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